an approaching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an approaching" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts where something is coming closer or imminent, but it should be followed by a noun, such as "an approaching storm." Example: "We could see an approaching storm on the horizon, and we knew we had to take cover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Henry senses an approaching shift of mood.

The New Yorker

It's an approaching Tramper driver.

The Guardian

A distant buzz presages an approaching speedboat.

The New Yorker

The siren of an approaching police car wailed.

The New Yorker

You imagined an approaching phalanx of grim Cossacks.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Friedman's persistent theme seems to be an approaching apocalypse.

The New York Times

Eventually, he spotted the headlights of an approaching motorist.

The New York Times - Health

Cassandra James painted a triptych of an approaching storm.

The New York Times

Then came the rumble of an approaching thunderstorm.

The New York Times - Sports

Turkish people are not symbols of an approaching migrant apocalypse.

The Guardian - Opinion

The skipper of an approaching sailboat was too busy navigating the tricky waters around Hell Gate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an approaching", ensure the noun that follows clearly specifies what is coming closer, providing a concrete and vivid image for the reader. For example, "an approaching deadline" is more effective than simply "an approaching event".

Common error

Avoid using "an approaching" with abstract nouns that do not convey a sense of physical or temporal movement. For example, instead of saying "an approaching understanding", consider phrases like "a growing understanding" or "an emerging understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an approaching" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is drawing nearer in space or time. It suggests imminence or the process of nearing, as seen in Ludwig examples like "an approaching storm" or "an approaching deadline".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an approaching" functions as an adjective phrase that describes something moving closer in time or space. It's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it’s crucial to ensure that it is paired with a noun that logically conveys movement or imminence. As Ludwig examples show, it is used in variety of contexts. This phrase is a common way to signal that something is imminent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending

Single-word adjective replacing the "an + adjective" structure.

imminent

Highlights the urgency and near certainty of something happening.

nearing

Replaces "approaching" with a synonym that directly expresses the act of coming near.

looming

Suggests a sense of threat or unease about something that is coming.

advancing

Conveys the idea of something actively moving forward.

forthcoming

Emphasizes the expectation or inevitability of something coming.

oncoming

Describes something that is moving towards a specific point or location.

upcoming

Implies that something is scheduled or planned to happen soon.

developing

Focuses on the process of something gradually evolving to its final state.

arriving

Emphasizes the point at which something reaches its destination or end.

FAQs

How can I use "an approaching" in a sentence?

Use "an approaching" to describe something that is moving closer in time or space. For example, "We braced ourselves for "an approaching storm"" or "The company prepared for "an approaching deadline"".

What's the difference between "an approaching" and "a forthcoming"?

"An approaching" emphasizes the action of drawing nearer, while "a forthcoming" stresses that something is about to happen or be available. You might speak of "an approaching car" but "a forthcoming book".

What words typically follow "an approaching"?

Typically, "an approaching" is followed by nouns like "storm", "vehicle", "deadline", "event", or "figure"—words that signify things moving closer either physically or temporally.

Are there situations where using "an upcoming" might be better than "an approaching"?

Yes, "an upcoming" is preferable when referring to events or scheduled activities, such as "an upcoming conference" or "an upcoming meeting". "Approaching" is more suitable when referring to something physically or metaphorically drawing nearer.